Year 1 At the end of our first semester (September 2011 starters).....

How are you finding it?
I can't describe the feeling I get when someone asks me what I do. The pride of relaying 'student midwife' and then the 'oh wow' responses are just fab! Especially after what seems like an eternity to finally get here. Hand on heart, I love my cohort. We all bring something different to the table, and when it came round to our xmas meal, it became clear we all felt comfortable enough with each other to take the mick

Different to what you thought?
Yes, in a way. Compared to previous posters, we don't seem to have had as much work put on us. I mean, don't get me wrong, each day at uni is exhausting because you feel like your brain is crammed with little tidbits of information. Sometimes its tiring just coordinating yourself too, especially if there's last minute changes out of your control. I must applaud the girls on my course with children though. All of you who are parents need a medal doing this course. I truly don't know how you do it and admire you all heaps for it!

Have you been on placement yet?
I spent 4 weeks on the community, which I absolutely loved! Back out again in Feb for 2 weeks LW, and then a further 4 weeks community. I had the pleasure of visiting a homebirth on my placement, but unfortunately the woman was transferred last minute. Amazing experience though nonetheless!
Very nervous about starting labour ward, and focusing on the medical aspects of labour.
Handed in a lot of assignments yet?
We've had one assignment set so far (3000 words), which is due in next week.

Any exams?
The same day as our assignment hand-in, we have a drug calculations exam, and our OSCES a week later.

Have you managed to keep up your social life?
As much as I had before. Only because I worked 60 hours a week. Definitely not doing as much reading as I should though, and should get back on that asap!

Wow thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences! I have loved reading all of your posts. I am more excited than I was before lol x well done to you all. You are all living the dream x

Thanks so much everyone for posting your experiences. It's great to hear the reality of what is to come (hopefully!! My interview is next week ekk!!) There seems to be quite a variation in assignments/essays/placements, I guess each Uni does things differently.
Is anyone at ARU Fulbourn? that's where I'm applying to, and I'd love to hear how they do things.
Cheers

I applied to go to ARU Fulbourn. Great course, great uni - it just didn't tick all my boxes. Thankfully, I got my first choice - UH (Hertfordhsire).
Good luck with the interviews. xx

How are you finding it?
I love placement, uni has been hard to adjust too and at times feel like my brain is overloading with information
Different to what you thought?
Big time, thats not to say that that is bad. I went into this with my eyes open expecting loads of work but its the placement side that has opened my eyes the most.
Have you been on placement yet?
Yeah baby my favourite so far has to be nights on delivery, the vibe is fab and I have learnt so much in such a short space of time. Start placement again next week and Im on community so hoping I love that as much as Ive loved the hospital. I wont lie I have drove home in tears and I am very overwhelmed but then I remember why I am doing this and I feel better.
Handed in a lot of assignments yet?
they are now starting to pile up thick and fast
Any exams?
We've had a Practical OSCE. and now getting all set for a intrapartum exam
Have you managed to keep up your social life!!
I never had one to begin with but I have to admit I really really miss my kids.

How are you finding it?

Loving it, it's hard work and I seem to spend most of my time tired, but it's a happy tired! Found the Biology hard to start with and not looking forward to my A&P exam!

Different to what you thought?
I have a lot more responsibility than than I thought I would have for a first year, mostly my mentor lets me do all the talking and clinical stuff (except Ve's and sweeps) and she just chips in if I ask her cause I don't know the answer, or I look at her with a 'please help me look'! I do sometimes find the lack of academic direction hard, not knowing what depth to research a topic can sometimes leave me feeling overwhelmed.

Have you been on placement yet?
Yes, have been on community placement for 5 weeks. Have done Blood pressure, blood spot test on newborn, urinalysis, venepuncture, palpation. Find venepuncture the hardest and have missed several veins! Not witnessed any births, missed my first home birth (she was too fast and I didn't arrive in time) Have experienced a case conference where a ante natal mum was having the baby taken off her at birth, a neo natal death (not directly) a women told me to F**K OFF for mentioning breastfeeding at the 28 week appointment, a 15 year old with chlamydia who was unable to attend for treatment because she was 'grounded' and lots and lots of amazing brave mums!


Handed in a lot of assignments yet?
No, we have a clinical portfolio that needs to be in at the end of our placement in 3 weeks, which has 4 formal reflections in it which are marked. We have a group presentation and an individual A&P presentation to do in June and another portfolio for our next clinical placement which is 10 weeks on the PN ward in March. We had to submit a draft of a collaborative practice portfolio before Xmas, with the final one being due in May.

Any exams?
Just an A&P one in June.

Have you managed to keep up your social life!!
hahaha NO! Finding time for my study, Uni, hubby and our 4 kids keeps us busy enough! Can't seem to find time for anything else!

How are you finding it?

Although it is very, very tiring I am absolutely loving it

Different to what you thought?
I spent most of the first 2 weeks on placement just watching and taking it all in - there is so much to learn!! and then I was eased gently into things by my lovely mentor gradually taking the lead on all booking appointments, AN and PN appointments.
I was quite surprised at the amount of responsibility I was given as a 1st year, although everything is supervised and counter-signed by your mentor. I have been allowed to do all the talking and writing in the notes. We were advised at Uni not to do anything on placement that we haven't learnt/had the theory for so no VE's or membrane sweeps for me....yet!!
As ticketyboo says above I also find the lack of academic direction hard.....although the lecturers are very supportive I just don't know how in-depth my research needs to be which is frustrating at times and I have felt very overwhelmed.

Have you been on placement yet?
Yes, have been on community placement for 9 weeks where I have developed my skills in; BP, urinalysis, palpation, auscultation (which I love )venepuncture...NOT my favourite but I can do it now!! I haven't been lucky to have witnessed any births but I have seen lots of lovely babies.....what is lovely is seeing a lady postnatally that you've seen in the AN clinic. The first time this happened I was like.....ooh I felt you in your mummy's tummy :> I'm still useless at the blood spot screening ...my nemesis

Handed in a lot of assignments yet?
Well not a lot. We had a 2000 word essay/introduction to our portfolio back in October. We had an EBL Poster presentation (summative work) and a final EBL presentation (again summative). We handed in our 4000 word reflective essay and our portfolio's before Christmas and had our OSCE before Christmas...now enjoying 5 weeks study leave before starting Semester 2!

Any exams?
Just the OSCE...so far but A&P exam in June, at the end of Semester 2

Have you managed to keep up your social life!!
Living away from home all week is tiring, but I have made some great friends and we all try to meet up one night a week. I go home every weekend and do the 'mum' stuff with my kids and get out with my hubby and friends at least 1 week out of 4....so yessss but it is a struggle especially when assignment deadlines are looming......but I LOVE IT!!!!

This is such a fab thread for all us prospective students to read too! Gives a brilliant insight to what we have to come!! Just out of curiosity, are any of you studying at SHU? x

Does anyone think we should do this again since were now at the end of semester 2?